Chicago Marathon training is here! I am excited (and nervous) to be training using the Hansons Marathon Method. In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue. You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs. The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles. These plans are 18 weeks and have you running 6 days (easy, speed/strength, tempo, and long runs) a week with one rest day.

Week #14, September 5-11

I reached the point in my training in which I had no desire to run. I did not want to. Looking at my calendar listing the number of miles I had that day kind of made me cry.

Monday:

PLAN – 8 easy @10:52-12:16 pace

ACTUAL – Did not run.

It was a day off from school and I spent the day catching up on grading and working on lesson plans. We have a new reading curriculum which I like but am struggling with it because it has so information. I feel kind of lost but I know eventually I will get the hang of it.

I stayed after school to organize my classroom and grade some papers. In the morning on my way to school I saw another gorgeous sunrise. And one of my students gave me a cute and sweet picture of a cat.

Wednesday:

PLAN – OFF

ACTUAL – OFF

Thursday:

PLAN – 9 tempo @10:18 pace (with 1 mile w/up and c/d)

ACTUAL – Did not run.

I stayed late again at school to work on some stuff. We have a new grading system that I am still learning how to use. I know midterm report cards will be due in a few weeks and I want to be ready and have some grades already entered instead of waiting till the last minute.

I couldn’t believe it when I realized that the Chicago Marathon is a month away!

Friday:

PLAN – 6 easy @10:52-12:16 pace

ACTUAL – Did not run.

My favorite day of the week!

Saturday:

PLAN –10 easy @10:52-12:16 pace

ACTUAL – 10.02 miles @10:48 average pace

I missed 4 runs this week so I was not sure how today was going to go. I didn’t even know if I was going to end up running 10 miles. Well, guess what? I did! My alarm went off at 4:50am but I didn’t get up till 20 minutes later. Then I drank coffee, ate a Clif Bar and got ready to head to the lake.

I saw a gorgeous sunrise! Isn’t it beautiful!!

It was a great run today! I ran by feel and tried not to look too much at my watch. It was a little humid but overcast with a little rain. Thank goodness! Overall, I am pleased with this run. My fastest mile was 10:14 and my slowest was 11:40.

Sunday:

PLAN – 10 easy @10:52-12:16 pace

ACTUAL – 10.02 miles @10:48 average pace

A late night last night meant a late start this morning. I did wake up early (too early) but did not want to get up. I finally did and was at the lakefront before 8am. Gorgeous day! Sunny but not too hot. I was tired and legs were a little sore. I forgot my watch at home and instead used the Nike +app on my phone. I ran by feel again and it felt good to not be constantly checking my pace like I usually do with my watch (my phone was inside the pouch of my belt). Overall, I am pleased with this workout with 11:01 being my fastest mile and 12:09 being my slowest.

Week 14 did not go well. I missed 4 runs (the most I’ve missed in a week this training season) as I was in a funky mood and did not want to run. I am very happy with my long run on Saturday. Next week I have 3x2mile repeats and a 10 tempo run. I am thinking of running my tempo run on Wednesday since I have Open House at school and it will be over at 8pm <<No way will I do my run at that time. Also, Saturday is the 20 mile run with CES. Per the Hansons Marathon Method, the longest I need to run is 16 miles. But I feel like I need to runmore. I need another confidence booster to get me through the remaining weeks of training. I guess I should wait and see how I feel on Saturday.

Total mileage for the week: 20.04 miles <<The least I’ve run in a week this training season.

Related

11 Comments on 2016 Chicago Marathon Training Week 14

You’ve had a great training cycle and missing a few runs will not hurt. And hey, you got two 10 milers in! Your sunrise is gorgeous. I had a cutback week and went a little overboard with it. Like you, I was feeling a little over-trained and tired — so I opted for something different. I think it’s best to rest and reset than to push. I’ve run one 20 miler and plan to run one more but I’m also not running near the mileage you are. Good luck! Thanks for linking, Zenaida!

I’m new to your blog, so I don’t know how the rest of your training has gone…but the Hanson’s method scares me! My body would not enjoy the constant running, and I would get to that point (like you did) and simply want to boycott running. I’m glad your two 10-milers went well! Your legs probably had some much needed rest (as did your mind) and it was just enough to reignite your love for the sport.

Thank you. My training has been going well. I’ve missed a few runs here and there but I hadn’t felt the way I did this past week. I was off this summer (I’m a teacher) so it was easier for me to fit in my runs. Now, I am struggling but doing the best i can. I cannot imagine how those that are married and/or have kids do it but I guess they just find a way to get it done.

Yeah! So crazy Chicago is a month away! I’m getting excited. Missing some workouts is understandable and should be ok. Way to get in two 10 milers though! I’ve got 20 miles to do next weekend too. I really wanted my schedule to have at least one for the same reason, just a confidence booster. Hope it goes well!

Thank you! I felt guilty missing so many runs last week but knew that it was the right thing to do. I am hoping that the rest of the weeks go well. And if they don’t then oh well. I have done more than 3/4 of the training so that should definitely count.

Hey life gets in the way, I get it! You did awesome on your long runs! Wow what pretty views to reward you as well!
Wow the longest the Hansons has you do is 16 miles? I’m with you I think I’d feel a lot more confident with a 20 under my belt! Good luck next week, I hope you have a better week and can work out your schedule fine!